A Kerala bureaucrat created a hullabaloo when he said if a man is found staring at a woman for more than 14 seconds, a case can be filed against him. “Please use it (the provisions in the law), if it is the case”, State Excise Commissioner Rishiraj Singh said. He also urged women to keep small knives and pepper sprays handy.
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“Are you carrying a knife in your bag?”
Singh made the statement in good spirit and upholding the importance of safety of women in the country, just that quoting a statement as law out of thin air did not go down well with a lot of people. Martial arts is another option of self-defence for women, he added exhorting women to instantly react and inform the police if they were harassed by men.
He has created a huge furore with his “14 seconds” comment.
– G.S Chandran (@ChandranGS) 16 August 2016Expect a rise in usage of stopwatches in Kerala.
The “14 seconds” statement also doesn’t seem to have gone down well with the Twitterati.
– సంగీత కొడితాల (@skodithala) August 15, 201614 seconds is the appropriate window for lechery.
On the independence day, I am confused by 14 seconds rule set by Rishiraj Singh; how will I watch Olympics? He had refused to salute the then Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala a year ago after which an inquiry was ordered against him. An inquiry was initiated after Singh had failed to stand up and salute the minister when the latter arrived at the Police Academy in Thrissur for a passing out parade.
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At that time, Singh was the ADGP, Armed Forces Batallion. He had been posted there after being removed as chief vigilance officer, Kerala State Electricity Board after he upset many in the ruling party by conducting surprise raids against power thefts.
